Have you recently set out as an owner-operator truck driver? It's so; it's likely you have questions about building a network of trusted clients for your freight needs. Is this accurate? For most truck drivers, you want to stay busy. You also don't want to have lulls in your day driving or aren't dropping off freight. This is where connecting with a wide range of clients can be beneficial for you. It doesn't matter if you're driving a refrigerated truck, a typical box truck, or wanting to do local deliveries; it's important to network efficiently. Below we go through some of the best tips for building your network of clients.
Work With A Reputable Broker
We cannot stress how important it is to work with a reputable broker. Are you unsure of who to work with? There are amazing tools out there to get you started. One that we highly recommend is DAT TruckersEdge®. When you choose this program, you will have access to the latest listings and be able to post right from any mobile device or computer. Accepting a dat load is fast and easy and has its own fair share of reassurance qualities. When you take a load on the job board, you'll be able to see the broker, reviews on the broker, payment information, and more. It is a streamlined approach to freight and analytics that keep you moving forward.
Make Sure You Have Proper Insurance Coverage
Making your business more attractive starts with having proper insurance. You'll want to make sure that anything you transport is covered, and if anything were to happen that you or the client would not be out of money, out of pocket. This can build trust with clients, even if you choose not to work with a broker. However, we do recommend that you try working with a broker, especially if you are new to the trucking industry. It can get you used to accept freights, working through mileage, and the procedure for loading and unloading.
Moving Loads Efficiently
Are you curious about how you can move loads more efficiently? This goes back to using a powerful tool in your trucker's back pocket. DAT Power® will give you the edge. This is a leading load board that has live results, advanced filtering, multiple searching, and postings and can help you load more efficiently. If you're not wasting time traveling from point a to point b and not having any freight on board, you can make more money overall.